The town of Lake Waccamaw entered into a new year looking to update some old business with a discussion about the fence ordinance in the area at Tuesday night’s meeting. Last November, the board voted to make some text amendments to the old ordinance to preserve the scenic view of the water on Lake Shore Drive and Canal Cove Road, but the new panel of commissioners decided to take another look after some concerns were raised by property owner Samira Davis.
The amendment was reportedly in part to help clarify the need for construction permits of projects like privacy fences along the waterfront. Davis was issued a stop work order on a privacy fence she says she needs to protect her property near Dale’s Seafood from trespassers.
Davis said shortly after purchasing the lot in 2022, she was asked to clear an overgrown area, providing a view of the lake. She told media outlets that she then began having problems with people using her property.
Davis said the town’s previous building inspector said she did not need a permit for a privacy fence.
At the meeting, commissioners had a positive discussion about seeking every avenue to grant Davis permission to continue the build without changing the ordinance. Town Manager Damon Kempski was asked to look further into the matter to see if a buffer between commercial and residential properties was already set in place so that she may move on with her project.
Mayor Greg Jacobs also requested that Kempski set up a public hearing to revisit the ordinance passed in November to get input from residents so that other changes may be put into place if needed.
“Ms. Davis, we know this is holding you up on your property, and we apologize,” expressed Jacobs. “We are working as hard as we can on this matter.”
